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SS Kenya

In the interest of the hobby, MSW wanted to share amazing model building from all over. While Robert Wilson, the builder of the piece shown in this feature, is not a member here on the Model Shipwrights Forum, he agreed to share some of his extraordinary work for all of us to enjoy. So whether you get some inspiration from this or just plain enjoyment from looking at a well crafted model, the experience is sure to be a FUN one!

Robert and Christine Wilson make models...plain and simple! Only their creations are from the medium of the wooden variety and is centered around the Merchant Shipping side of ship building. One of Roberts creations is the SS Kenya. His scaling for his ships are actually listed as 32:1, feet to inches. Best of my knowledge, this puts the ship at 1/384 scale; the base model is carved form a solid piece of wood.

British India Steam Navigation Company

Many more of these exciting creation from Robert and Christine Wilson can be found on their Miniature Merchant Ships Blog.

Originating back in the 1860's, the British India Steam Navigation Company primarily carried general cargo and bulk goods while ferrying few passengers throughout the Australian and Asian waterways. The SS Kenya was a 14,400 ton passenger liner built in 1951. The ship primarily operated the British India's East African run between London and Dar-es-Salaam. The ship was used throughout the 50's and 60's until she was finally scrapped in 1969.

SS Kenya by Robert Wilson

Robert love for these merchant ships comes form the time he spent in the Merchant Navy. Mr. Wilson essentially carves these vessels form wood for the simple fact that...and I quote, "I have never been able to cope with kits, as I find them too restricting, preferring to build the obscure, and semi-obscure type of ship." Being able to create his works from scratch out of wood means his stash of kits is only limited to what he decides is a great subject to build on.

Through the use of scaled down prints as a guide to the basic shape and general layout, Robert and Christine have created a vast collection of finely crafted miniatures depicting merchant ships in all their glory.

Model Shipwrights would like to thank Robert and Christine Wilson for providing us with a fantastic view into their "little" corner of this hobby